Tate nearly avoids bagel against Texans

The Titans had named him questionable despite Robert Saleh saying he’d play on Friday, so this outcome was no surprise. Inactive for the Titans are: RB Nick Singleton, RB Michael Carter, S Amani Hooker (concussion), CB Jaylon Jones, T Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, TE David Martin-Robinson (hamstring) and DT Jackie Marshall.

He was officially listed as questionable with two limited sessions on Thursday and Friday. Tate popped up on Thursday’s injury report with a back injury, but Titans coach Robert Saleh said it was just some random tightness that isn’t expected to slow him in Week 5. Tate has seen 21 targets over the last two weeks and has posted a 15-203-0 line over that span. He has some solid WR3/FLEX appeal against a Texans defense that has struggled against the pass early in the season.

Tate was limited today, suggesting he suffered a back injury in practice. That is not good. He, of course, still has a chance to play, but we will have to monitor this situation closely. For now, Tate must be viewed as questionable to play in Week 5 against the Texans.

Tate was targeted early and often in this one. The rookie first-rounder would lead the Titans in targets and found himself at the end of multiple big plays. Tate’s first reception resulted in a 22-yard gain, and he later popped up for a 35-yard catch in the second quarter, only to lose a fumble on the play moments later. Tate hauled in a clutch 33-yard reception on a fourth-and-10 play late in the fourth quarter as the Titans tried to mount a comeback, setting up a three-yard touchdown pass to Wan’Dale Robinson on the next play. Tate has been targeted 21 times over the last two weeks and will be a risky WR3/WR4 against the Texans in Week 5.

The first-round rookie posted new high-water marks in every receiving category, though he did so while seeing fewer targets than Wan’Dale Robinson. Tate got going with a few chunk plays late in the game, setting up a Robinson touchdown and another scoring opportunity that was squandered by Cam Ward. Tate might be making incremental progress with this box score, but he’s still at the fringes of the WR4 discussion for Week 4 against the Ravens.

Tate led the Titans’ receiver corps in snaps, catches and targets, but both Elic Ayomanor and Calvin Ridley churned up more yardage. No one had a useful day in fantasy football. Tate’s usage has been excellent through his first two NFL contests, but this severely-limited offense is predictably limiting his fantasy upside. He’s a WR4 heading into next week’s Giants road trip.

Tate tied for the team lead in receiving yards, but as you can see, that amounted to 38 in this dismal Titans attack. He also tied for the team lead in targets, though Wan’Dale Robinson edged him 5-4 in receptions. Today was an extremely ominous Cam Ward performance against a far-from-stellar Jets defense, but there is nothing to quibble with in Tate’s usage. He was out there for 44-of-50 snaps and had healthy “shares” of everything from targets to air yards. Now we just need to see if Ward can get his career on track in Year 2 before we commit to Tate as a WR3. The Eagles are a rough Week 2 matchup.

This is, to be a broken record, probably not much to be concerned about just yet. The 21-year-old Tate is in a weird spot as a clear high-volume target on a passing offense that has not looked good all preseason and probably should be eyed skeptically heading into 2026. Nevertheless, Tate has the goods to be a fantasy producer this year if the offense around him is good enough to let that happen.

Wyatt notes that Tate “had been quiet in recent practices, and he still doesn’t have a catch in two preseason games.” Today’s standout showing comes at the right time. The end of the preseason is fast approaching and the first-round rookie will be asked to contribute right away this season, especially with WR Wan’Dale Robinson currently undergoing evaluation for a concussion. The Titans’ offense is still a work in progress, so producing as a WR3 could be Tate’s ceiling for quite some time. Still, today’s report is nice to read.

FOX Sports’ Ben Arthur reported earlier that Bears DB Xavier Woods “laid out Wan’Dale Robinson over the middle of the field” during today’s joint practice, which “justifiably” prompted a response from the Titans’ sideline. Titans coach Robert Saleh called the hit “cheap.” The NFL reviews practice footage when available. We’ll see if anything comes of it. Losing Robinson for Week 1 would be consequential for QB Cam Ward, and would likely shift more work toward rookie WR Carnell Tate.